What You Need Before an Abortion

So, you took a pregnancy test at home and it’s positive. This is not part of your plan right now. Maybe someday, but definitely not yet. After some thinking and research, you’ve decided that abortion is the healthiest choice for you at the moment. You need abortion information, but where do you start?

First Things First:

Before you make your abortion appointment, it’s important that you confirm that you are actually pregnant. Pregnancy tests have improved over the years, but home tests are still not 100% accurate. A medical-grade pregnancy test is necessary to confirm that hCG, the pregnancy hormone, is present. Most clinics perform this test with a urine sample, but your provider may offer to perform a blood test instead. Once you’ve confirmed that you are pregnant with a medical-grade test, you still have some information to gather before seeking an abortion.

Get the Facts about your body:

You’ve confirmed your pregnancy with a test and now you need to find out how far along you are. The first day of your last period, or LMP, is often a good indicator to how many weeks you might be. However, since menstrual cycles vary from woman to woman, calculating from your LMP is not always the best dating method. Even if you’re certain about the date of your LMP, you may have ovulated sooner or later than normal, affecting your pregnancy dates. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), “Ultrasound measurement of the embryo or fetus in the first trimester (up to and including 13 6/7 weeks of gestation) is the most accurate method to establish or confirm gestational age.”

In other words, getting an ultrasound is the best way to know how far along you are. This is extremely important, as your gestational date affects what abortion options are available to you and how safe each option is. Aside from confirming the dating of your pregnancy, an ultrasound helps confirm that your pregnancy is located in your uterus and is not ectopic. Your provider will also look to see whether your pregnancy is viable. Over 1/3 pregnancies end in miscarriage, so even if you are pregnant you may not need an abortion.

Apart from a medical-grade pregnancy test and an ultrasound, it’s important to receive testing for STIs before seeking an abortion. Many STIs are present without causing symptoms and certain abortion procedures can put you at risk for dangerous infections or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease if not treated before your procedures.

Know your options:

Lastly, before scheduling your abortion appointment, it’s vital that you know what options will be available to you. You are in control of your health and deserve time to think through all of your options. You have a right to ask questions before committing to any option, so that you can make an informed, confident decision. Abortion laws vary from state to state, so it’s important to discuss what is actually available to you. Regardless of where you live, you likely have plenty of time to get the facts about your options before committing to a decision.

Option 1 is here to serve you in all of the steps listed above. Our 1-hour pre-abortion screenings cover everything you need to make your decision. We provide medical-grade pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STI testing, and options consultations- all at NO cost to you, no insurance necessary. We care about you and want to equip women to make informed choices with information they can trust. No one should have to think through an abortion on their own. Our caring, professional team is here to listen to your questions and help you get the answers you deserve.